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PROCESSING VEG GROWERS ELECT FIRST AND SECOND VICE-CHAIRS

Michael Denys was elected first vice-chair and Ken Hamm was elected second vice-chair at the Board of Directors meeting held January 13, 2020. Michael Denys, Wallaceburg, has been the on the Board since 2017. Ken Hamm, Leamington, has been on the Board since 2018.
 
Ryan Leclair and Ron VanDamme also joined the Board through a new electoral voting process implemented by Farm Products Marketing Commission which used an electoral officer to conduct the district votes for Board representation. Mike Lenders was also re-elected to serve as District 2 Director and Dan Froese was acclaimed in District 3 as Director for a second term.
 
“We are pleased to have Ron VanDamme and Ryan Leclair join the Board and look forward to their leadership,” stated Dave Hope, chair of the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (OPVG). “We have great leadership, skills and depth on this Board and have a great deal of work to accomplish to support growers as they deal with the new regulations on tomatoes and carrots.”
 
The OPVG is a marketing board regulated under the Farm Products Marketing Act and represents nearly 340 Ontario processing vegetable growers producing crops such as tomatoes, onions, sweet corn, carrots, cucumbers, green, wax & lima beans, green peas, squash and pumpkin. Farm gate sales for our processing vegetable crops in 2019 was just under $90 million. OPVG members are family-owned and operated businesses, growing vegetable crops for Ontario food manufacturing companies.
Source : OPVG

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CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

Video: CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.